The City of Commerce Transit Maintenance Facility Project
The City of Commerce (City) proposes to construct and operate a transit maintenance facility (TMF) that would serve the City’s transit fleet. The project would include construction and operation of a temporary TMF on a 2.65-acre site at the southwest corner of Elkgrove Avenue and Washington Boulevard, at 5733 Sheila Street, approximately 670 feet north of the proposed project site, while the proposed permanent TMF would be built. An existing vacant metal maintenance building and vehicle wash on that site would be demolished. The temporary TMF would consist of portable buildings service bays formed from shipping containers, steel frames, and canvas. The portable buildings and service bay elements would be removed after opening of the proposed permanent TMF.
The City has contracted UltraSystems to provide the environmental review services for the proposed project. UltraSystems’ scope of services includes preparation of an IS/MND to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). As part of the IS/MND, UltraSystems conducted technical assessments for Air Quality/Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, and Noise. Additionally, because the City is planning to use federal funding for this project, the City also contracted UltraSystems to prepare a Categorical Exclusion (CE) to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). UltraSystems is also providing support for public noticing, public distribution and public hearings for the project. The IS/MND went out for public review from May 11, 2021 to June 11, 2021.
UltraSystems’ role has been to facilitate project compliance with the various regulatory permit terms and conditions set forth by the Federal Transit Agency (FTA) and the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO). This includes working with FTA, SHPO and City staff to hold meetings about the project and to coordinate regarding updates to NEPA documentation, APE maps and coordination with the FTA re: project details and updates. Additionally, the project APE needed to be revised to incorporate the existing Transit Maintenance Facility as well as a temporary TMF site and the permanent TMF site. UltraSystems staff needed to engage is continued coordination with the FTA regarding the historical and cultural APE for the proposed project.
